Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-10-25
Washington Letter.

w u. W., oCG. ZI. 1000
Editor Sptrit.-There seems to be
a most determined effort or the part
of the Democratic citizens of the Dis
trfct to secure the meeting of the
Democratic National Convention in
this city next year. The idea orig
mated with the Columbia Club, but
others have taken hold of the matter
and are working in good earnest for
the meeting here. Some objections
have been urged against Washington
as not. being a suitable place for such
a large assemblage, as the hotel facil-
tiles are so limited and there is no
hall or Don large enough to hold the
convention. However, the committee
having the matter in charge insist
that these objections can be easily
overcome, and that ample and suffi-
cient accommodations a be made
for the convention and all others who
may desire to attend. BY all mean
let us have III next convention in the
capital of the nation, for it is neutral
ground where no outside influence
can interfere with the deliberations of
the convention.
First Comptroller Durham reports
to the Secretary of the Treasury that
during the last fiscal year his bureau
disposed of accounts amounting to al
most three billion dollars. He re-
commends q change from the fee sys-
TEN to the salary system Of paying
limited States Marshals, District At
torneys and Clerks, and makes several
suggestions tending to regulate o. S.
Commissioners, so hat there will not
be the same temptation in future to
increase expenses, irrespective Of the
service.
The convention of Social Reform
ers, presided over by Mrs. Belva
Lockwood, of this city, in session last
week, at Springfield. ILL.,, organized
a new political party, adopting a
platform and naming a national COM
mittee. The name of the new organ
~ization is the Industrial Reform
Party" The platform includes wo-
man suffrage. prohibition and govern
mcnt ownerships of transportation
and telegraph lines. The next meet
ing will be held in this city, February
22d, 1888.
1t is stated by Delegate Toole, of
Montana, who is 10 in Washington,
that four Territories will ask the next
Congress for admission into the
Union, and will vigorously press their
claims to be admitted. They are
Montana, Dakota, New Mexico and
Washington Territories.
Mrs. Chas. Bulls. of Worthington,
Mimi, recently sold to Geo. II.
Treadwcll, of Albany, N. Y, the
original ordinance of secession passed
by the State of Virginia. Price paid
was $1,000.
Civil Service Commissioner Edger-
ton differs with Commissioner Obcrly
in his views of the illcgality Of the
Democratic associations which have
been established in Washington
Mr.. Edgcrton says Z" they are as le-
gal now as they ever were," and to
back up his assertion he quotes the
report signed by Oberly. and Lyman
on the investigation of the charges
against Collector Sccbcrger, of Chi
cago. In the report alluded to these
gentlemen take occasion TO say:
Strong political views lie had a
right to entertain, and, during the
time he held n public place, it was
his right to give at proper times.
strong expression to these views
The opinion is not TO be tolerated
that because n man occupies a place
in the classified civil service he must
therefore surrender his right to take
an interest in the politics of the
country, &C."
Ere this letter reaches you, Pres
ident Cleveland and party will have
returned to Washington. and among
the many other things to which he
will have to turn his mind will be ap-
pointing fifty-six postlnasters to take
the places of those whose term of Of
fee will expire in a short time
Among the number to be appointed
is some one for the place of Mr.. Con-
ger, Republican postmaster of this
city. AS yet, there are no indications
who will draw the winning card.
I am glad to learn from your last
issue that those of your citizens who
have been on the sick list for some
time are better. REX.